David Unbehaun

Dr. David Unbehaun is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Siegen working within Faculty III Information Systems and New Media. His research focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating ICT-based systems for active and healthy aging, with particular emphasis on dementia care, cognitive and physical frailty, and age-related diseases.

Dr. Unbehaun completed his education in business and public economics at the University of Halle-Wittenberg and Siegen, followed by a PhD in Socio-Informatics focusing on "Designing Assistive Technologies to Engage People with Dementia and their Caregivers." Prior to his academic career, he completed a 3-year apprenticeship in professional nursing in Düsseldorf and worked in various healthcare companies specializing in home and institutional care, where he was responsible for project management, quality management, and developing innovations in the healthcare sector.

Dr. Unbehaun's research spans the intersection of human-computer interaction, computer-supported collaborative work, and healthcare technology. His work primarily focuses on developing and evaluating social robotics, augmented reality applications, and interactive systems for elderly care, particularly for people with dementia. He investigates how technology can support physical activity, cognitive capabilities, social interaction, and reminiscence therapy for individuals with cognitive impairments. His approach emphasizes participatory design methodologies, working closely with end-users including people with dementia, their caregivers, healthcare professionals, and care students.

His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated applications of social robotics and immersive technologies in healthcare settings. His work spans from foundational research on technology appropriation in dementia care to applied studies evaluating specific interventions in real-world care environments. A notable trend in his recent work is the expansion from dementia-specific applications to broader healthcare contexts including rehabilitation, sports, and education.

Since 2016, Dr. Unbehaun has been involved in numerous national and international health-related projects. His work often involves collaboration with interdisciplinary teams across computer science, healthcare, and social sciences. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided text, his extensive publication record spanning multiple years suggests sustained research funding.

Dr. Unbehaun is affiliated with the PraxLABS research group at the University of Siegen, which appears to focus on practical applications of socio-informatics in real-world settings. His work is closely connected to the university's Fab Lab Siegen and Social Media Observatories, suggesting engagement with hands-on technology development and community-based research approaches.